Modification of oxidized polyethylene wax and its application in paper conservation

Aqueous oxidized polyethylene wax was prepared by grafting acrylic monomers onto polyethylene wax. Using the mixture of aqueous oxidized polyethylene wax, triethanolamine and sodium silicate to protect the paper, the protection effect was analyzed by SEM and evaluated by determining the aspect changes, glossiness, folding endurance, tensile strength, and the acid and alkali resistance of the paper. The result showed that the mixture of 2.5% aqueous oxidized polyethylene wax, 1% triethanolamine and 0.1% sodium silicate could increase the paper's pH to 7.5~9.0, the tensile strength of the paper before and after aging increased by 38.5% and 36.4% respectively, and slow down the aging rate without any change of paper's aspect, glossiness and folding endurance.